Soil Scientist / Plant Nutritionist(P4)
JOB DETAIL
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.
Organizational Setting
The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA’s Major Programme 2, “Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection”. This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme’s objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control.
The Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section and Laboratory assist Member States in developing improved soil and water management practices for sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems, the conservation of natural resources and the effective use of external inputs through applied and adaptive research and development activities, technology transfer and capacity building.
Main Purpose
As a member of a team led by the Head of the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section, the Soil Scientist/Plant Nutritionist contributes to the results-based sub-programme relating to the development of improved soil and crop management techniques for increasing soil fertility-soil quality and crop productivity, nutrient management and enhancing sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems through the use of nuclear and related techniques. Additionally, he/she provides expertise in the evaluation of land management practices that mitigate/reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil resilience to the impacts of climate change and variability, and increase the conservation of land resources for sustainable agriculture.
Role
The Soil Scientist/Plant Nutritionist is: (1) a technical officer and research coordinator, ensuring the efficient and effective development, implementation and dissemination of research, training, and scientific and technical knowledge, and assisting in the evaluation and implementation of technical cooperation projects for the IAEA and FAO; (2) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and project review missions; (3) a facilitator, working with Member States to meet their national and regional agricultural development objectives, and; (4) liaison with relevant stakeholders on issues related to soil and crop management practices for improving soil productivity and agricultural resource use efficiency and enhancing the agricultural adaptation to climate change and variability.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Contribute expertise to the implementation of coordinated research projects related to land management and crop nutrition, including the evaluation of research contracts and agreement proposals, monitoring the progress of projects, the organization of meetings and the publication of results.
- Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate technical cooperation projects.
- Prepare guidance and review information documents on isotopic and nuclear techniques relating to soil and crop management for improving soil fertility-soil quality and crop nutrition, nutrient management, enhancing agricultural resource use efficiency, reducing land degradation and greenhouse gas emissions from farmlands, and improving soil resilience to impacts of climate change and variability.
- Plan, organize and conduct scientific and advisory meetings, participate in technical missions, and represent the IAEA at international meetings and conferences.
- Develop novel initiatives and collaborate on relevant cross-cutting activities, such as the coordination of work with other international, regional and national organizations, including UN bodies.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| Planning and Organizing | Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans. |
| Communication | Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions. |
| Achieving Results | Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. |
| Teamwork | Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| Commitment to continuous process improvement | Plans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements. |
| Judgement/decision making | Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards. |
| Technical/scientific credibility | Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Science | Crop Nutrition and Quality | Expertise in monitoring crop nutrient uptake under different agroecosystems using isotopic, nuclear and related techniques. |
| Soil Science | Integrated Soil Fertility | Expertise in managing soil fertility, soil quality and enhancing sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems using isotopic, nuclear and related techniques. |
Asset Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Science | Environmental sampling | Expertise in monitoring greenhouse emissions and developing climate smart agricultural practices using nuclear and related techniques. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Advanced university degree specializing in soil fertility and nutrient management with a first degree in agricultural science or a closely related discipline. Doctorate degree an advantage.
- Minimum of seven years of relevant experience in the areas of soil fertility and nutrient management, of which two should have been at the international level, preferably in developing countries.
- Experience in the management of technology transfer, capacity building and multidisciplinary projects in developing countries is an asset.
- Substantial experience in the use of isotopic and other nuclear techniques in soil fertility, plant nutrition, GHG emission and integrated soil-plant-nutrient management, supported by refereed publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience in the management of multidisciplinary projects and participation in international research networks would be an added advantage.
- Ability to formulate projects, analyse technical and scientific information and to write clearly and concisely.
- Awareness of relevant FAO and IAEA mechanisms and procedures, including coordinated research projects and technical cooperation projects highly desirable.
- Ability to travel and conduct technical and research coordinated meetings.
- Strong presentation and communication skills and ability to produce well-written technical reports.
- Knowledge of farming systems in developing countries.
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $77326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 35802*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks’ annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions
General Information
- The IAEA’s paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
- Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
- The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
- Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
- The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
Evaluation process
- The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
- Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Appointment information
- Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
- Staff members may be assigned to any location.
- Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
- The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.
